Terrorstorm (Documentary/Speculation)
Picture: C Sound: C+ Extras: C Main Program: B-
Many
people have suspicions about the events of 9/11, including that The Bush
Administration allowed it to happen to legitimize his presidency and to justify
entry into The Middle East. It was not
as if some in The Middle East just happened to hate The U.S. all of the
sudden. It has been an issue for
decades, but the end of The Cold War and legitimizing of darker, more sinister
such forces with the Iran-Contra Affair only escalated what is now being termed
Islamo-Fascism. Islamo-Fascism is not a
mirage or figment of the imagination, but the fact is exists is not sufficient
to have carte blanche to do whatever one wants.
On the far Left of this is Alex Jones, the talk show host and
writer/director of Terrorstorm (2006)
that says the Bush team even flew the planes from 9/11!
Now it is
one thing to hold them responsible for allowing 9/11 to happen and intelligence
agencies having “problems communicating” does not cut it, but the extent to
which Jones and others supporting his claims is fascinating, with “supporting
evidence” and questions without easy answers.
Though it is highly speculative at best, there are moments where it is
not easy to dismiss what is being asked about and said. It is also interesting and sadly the
unthinkable that Bush (or anyone else) could be cold enough to let thousands
die just to gain power, not to mention all those being killed and injured
overseas since.
The
problem is that Jones’ ability to run on and on without the punctuation of
solid backup (as if that were possible after the initial premise plays out)
makes Howard Dean look and sound sedated.
Even when you agree or want to agree, even when a good point shows up
after five bad or questionable ones, all this can date quickly and wear thin
quickly. Another bad point is the
populist readings of George Orwell’s classic book 1984, which is populist and disconnected at best. The book is being oversimplified, though not
necessarily misquoted, to make additional points. However, it is in the “boogie man/oh, we
should be afraid” way that is ultimately counterproductive to any points Jones
has to make.
His views
received new exposure when Charlie Sheen began agreeing with him and went
public, only to predictably be attacked all over the place. Sheen has not been as populist, though when
he refers to Jones as his “comrade” in explaining these ideas, he does more
damage than any combination of the Bush Administration and all major media
combined could ever hope to do at full smackdown. Still, Terrorstorm
is worth hearing out for its alternate points of view and the earlier history
not heard much (like LBJ’s Gulf Of Tonkin fiasco) even when it ultimately plays
out as one of those silly old Sunn Schick classic speculative films when they
find Noah’s Ark, Historic Jesus or The Devil’s Triangle. Oh, and Mr. Jones is considering running for
office to push his “9/11 Truth” movement, so that adds another layer of
suspicion to this. You have to see and
hear it to believe it.
The 1.33
X 1 image is softer than expected with the NTSC video being down a generation
and film footage not transferred as well as hoped for. The Dolby Digital 2.0 is stereo at best, can
be harsh when played loudly and is just clear enough to hear what is being
said. Extras include trailers for other
Disinformation releases and an extended piece featuring Sheen, Jones and a
conference that further examines the ideas and theories presented.
- Nicholas Sheffo
